@article{ref1,
title="It hurts inside: a qualitative study investigating social exclusion and bullying among adolescents reporting frequent pain and high use of non-prescription analgesics",
journal="BMC psychology",
year="2020",
author="Skarstein, Siv and Helseth, Sølvi and Kvarme, Lisbeth Gravdal",
volume="8",
number="1",
pages="e112-e112",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Being bullied and socially excluded interferes with the fundamental need for humans to belong to a social group, which is necessary for well-being. This might underpin pain and the use of non-prescription analgesics.   AIM: The aim of the study was to gain insight into how social exclusion and bullying affect well-being in adolescents reporting frequent pain and high use of non-prescription analgesics.   METHODS: A phenomenological hermeneutical method based on in-depth interviews was used. Nineteen teenagers, 14-16 years of age voluntarily participated in the study. Those included had frequent pain and used non-prescription analgesics daily or several times a week.   RESULTS: Bullying and social exclusion affects thoughts, feelings and attitudes and thereby the quality of life of the adolescents we interviewed. They described feelings such as sadness, loneliness and depression, and a sense of being an outsider among peers was common. It also appears that bullying has significant potential to spread in a school environment.   CONCLUSION: The adolescents were self-aware and well-articulated. They conceptualised their experiences of being socially excluded and bullied. They described being socially excluded and bullied by peers as painful and they used non-prescription analgesics to alleviate pain. Teachers and health professionals should be aware of frequent pain and high use of non-prescribed analgesic medication as signs of psychosocial stress caused by social exclusion and bullying. Social exclusion and bullying should be systematically mapped, and targeted interventions implemented.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2050-7283",
doi="10.1186/s40359-020-00478-2",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-00478-2"
}